2

You know those authors that use time as a tool to keep you guessing?

That’s not my intent. Yet the random nature of my brain is such that this story will unfold as it will.

After realizing that I’d rather dig ditch for a living or go back to truck driving than serve another 15 years in corporate banking. I decided to be Proactive and to quit on my terms. Previously in my life I’d always been too practical to just give notice and quit without having a plan b and c in the wings.

This time tho I realized I didn’t have it in me to continue without sacrificing a core piece of myself that I may never get back. Once the decision was made and the ticket to Paris purchased I felt a calm that’s hard to put into words. I settled into the evening and every time I felt a little panic I looked at the feeling and decided that it was based on living my life for some one else. Someone else’s judgement that I’d be making a mistake. The ticket purchase was far enough out that it felt real yet not immediate. This alone gave me breathing room.

El had moved out of my house and even out of state at the end of the previous year which also gave me a sense of freedom to be a bit more random and make braver choices.

The Orange Clown in the White House had not strengthend my belief in the economy so I opted to put my condo up for sale. Knowing I don’t feel that Denver is my final nesting place made it an easy choice.

Had the condo sold with money in the bank by the time I flew out to Paris I may not have returned. It didn’t, so I did.

Back to the trenches for a couple of months to take it all on my terms at my pace. I managed to make the most of the next couple of months paychecks and planning. Then in September I gave my two weeks notice. Quite ironic that a text and phone call to my boss on his personal cell which is only used for urgent issues, yielded no response. Notice was given via email.

The next two weeks ended up passing very quickly with most of my world being wrapped up in no time.

Before I knew it my belongings were packed and I was being driven to the airport by a buddy.

Some 30 hours later between layovers and time changes I landed to find Dom standing there at arrivals waiting for me. Dom’s the kind of host who takes things to a different level. Having arranged for time off we spent the remainder of the day walking and seeing Sydney on a beautiful sunny day. Such great company, the perfect tour guide/host.